Should Oak Ridge city renew traffic cameras contract?

City Attorney Ken Krushenski told the Oak Ridge City Council during a work session on Monday it was time to look at the contract renewal process with Redflex Traffic Systems.

by Beverly Majors

City Attorney Ken Krushenski told the Oak Ridge City Council during a work session on Monday it was time to look at the contract renewal process with Redflex Traffic Systems.

Krushenski said the contract comes up in April 2014, but he'd like to start negotiations later this fall on extending the contract if Council chooses to renew.

"You can vote 'yes' or 'no,' or bid it again," Krushenski said about the contract.

The five-year contract between the city and Redflex, a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company, was for an automated red-light and speed camera enforcement system to supplement the city's law enforcement work and to provide additional traffic safety control measures to cut down on traffic accidents at signalized intersections and to reduce speeding. The contract allowed for two additional consecutive two-year renewal periods. However, the city must give written notice 30 days prior to the expiration date of April 21, 2014, to have the option on whether or not to renew the contract.

Council member David Mosby said he'd like more information before the issue is brought to a vote.

All six Council members agreed with Mosby about putting together a packet of information before they must make a decision.

"That really puts us in a bad spot," Council member Trina Baughn said about negotiating as early as the October or November meetings of Council. Baughn also said she'd like to take the current revenue from the cameras and make more permanent solutions for safety.

Council members Mosby, Chuck Hope and Ann Garcia Garland each made references to new technologies associated with traffic safety.

Hope also asked that city staff include current data and historical data on traffic-related information before the cameras were installed. Hope said he is also in favor of looking at new technology and alternative measures for safety-related issues.

Mayor Pro Tem Jane Miller said she believes the cameras have made a difference in speeding, although she gets citizen complaints.

Baughn said citizens call the cameras "revenue cameras" although safety is supposed to be the issue.

The city receives 40 percent of the revenue from the cameras.

Speed-only cameras are located on Oak Ridge Turnpike in front of Oak Ridge High School and on Robertsville Road near Willow Brook Elementary School near Jefferson Avenue and Iroquois Road.

Red-light/speed cameras are located on the Turnpike at the intersection of New York/Lafayette avenues and on North Illinois Avenue at Robertsville Road.